The Government of British Columbia is reminding licensed child care providers that they have until Dec. 31, 2018 to apply for retroactive wage enhancements for their frontline staff.

In September 2018, the Province announced its Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy, which aims to better support early childhood educators (ECEs) around British Columbia. As part of the strategy, ECEs will have access to a wage enhancement, as well as student bursaries and professional development opportunities.

The wage enhancement will provide a $1-per-hour lift to eligible ECEs, starting in January 2019. ECEs working in an approved licensed child care facility as of Jan. 15, 2019 may also be eligible to receive a retroactive wage enhancement for any hours worked at that same facility between Sept. 1, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2018. This initial increase will be followed by a further $1-per-hour lift in April 2020.

While providers may apply for the wage enhancement at any time, applications must be received on or before Dec. 31, 2018, in order for staff to be eligible to receive the one-time only retroactive payment. The application form, further details on the wage enhancement and the eligibility criteria are available at: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare/wage-enhancement

The Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy is part of the Province’s $1-billion investment in child care over the next three years through its long-term Childcare BC plan. The plan will move B.C. toward a universal child care system that will give B.C. families access to affordable, quality child care when they need or want it.

Learn More:

For more information about the Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare/ecestrategy